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PMDesk is proprietary software of DPS Software streamlining project management, project scheduling, work progress tracking and control over the availability of resources. The latest update of the PMDesk 2018 SP1 system introduces a number of new functionalities for users and increases the efficiency of the system. All users with an active PMDesk subscription service can install a free upgrade.

In order to obtain the latest version of the software and help with the PMDesk update, please contact the Technical Support Center at DPS Software (tel .: 800 40 50 50, e-mail: wsparcie@dps-software.pl).

Integration with a mail client.

The option allows to configure the synchronization of tasks from PMDesk and the calendar in outlook (configuration for other e-mail clients is also supported). In order to set integration with outlook, enter the program configuration, enable binding to the e-mail client and enter the parameters of the SMTP server. After integration all tasks will be updated from the PMDesk in the outlook calendar. If the task changes the planned execution date or is deleted in PMDesk, such changes will also be forwarded to the calendar in outlook.

Addition of sub-project setting options during project creation and editing.

The function allows assigning sub-projects at the time of creating a new project and editing the project data. This functionality allows for greater opportunity when planning projects. This functionality when we defining the project, we can divide it into smaller stages included in subprojects.

Addition of the “Deadline” field to tasks.

The function allows you to set the final date for the task, the exceeding of which will be signaled by means of a message. This is the date which is marked on the Gantt chart with a green arrow. The date indicates the latest date of task completion.

Hide and expand – possibility to group projects.

In the “View” tab in the “grouping” option, the buttons for hide and expand schedules in the Gantt chart. They allow for quick maneuvering with a more detailed view of projects, stages and tasks.

Increased performance of the “Performed Work”.

The option allows you to review the work done in the projects. The function in the latest version of PMDesk has been rebuilt, thanks to which the loading of data of performed works is significantly faster.

Increased efficiency of resource conflict verification.

In comparison to the previous version, the efficiency and improved performance of information about existing resource conflicts between projects has been improved.

Increased productivity and streamlined resource calendar.

The mechanism of loading and displaying data in the resource calendar has been optimized, thanks to the whole process of reviewing, analyzing and modifying the calendar proceeds better.

Updating user data from the PDM system.

The new version of PMDesk allows you to update user data that has an integrated login with the PDM system.

Increased efficiency of the task edit window.

The task definition window has been optimized, so that opening tasks from the Gantt chart and task list takes significantly less time.

We’re currently working on the PMDesk 2018 SP2 version, which will include:

Adding options for assigning tasks to user groups with the option of automatically assigning a free person from project group

An additional option to pause and freeze resources from the project has been added to the system. When you change the project status to “project paused” tasks from such project are not displayed in the to-do list. In addition the resources assigned to this project are automatically available. If you decide to re-implement the project, you just need to change the status of the project and all the tasks and resources will be included again in the project.

Split tasks

If a job is interrupted, the system allows you to divide the task into parts. Parts of the task can be moved in graphical mode or rejoined in one task if necessary.

Acceptable deviation

The system allows you to specify the tolerance of the delay in the task, giving a delay value in percent. This feature can be used for project management in PRINCE2 (PRINCE2 tolerance management). Tolerances serve to determine acceptable limits that may deviate from established indicators. After exceeding the tolerance of the task execution time, PMDesk will automatically display this information in the project status.

Permissible deviation of project time

As in the case of acceptable deviation for a task, we can define such deviation at project level. When defining a deviation for a project, all tasks assume this same deviation.

Expanding reporting capabilities

In addition to defined reports; such as tasks performed, budget usage, delayed tasks and the ability to create dedicated reports in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, the ability to create reports via SQL queries has been introduced. We can create reports by entering a SQL query in the system administration and showing this results in the report window. The reports should have been done in the Administration -> SQL Reports menu. The results of the reports are automatically updated during the projects based on the data entered in the system.

New column – actual completion date

This column is automatically updated based on the date of the last task in the project. During schedule changes, this date is automatically updated in the list of projects.

Change connection to database

In the new version of PMDesk we have the ability to quickly change the connection parameters to the database. This solution is particularly useful when we have a test and production base. We can quickly and easily switch between individual PMDesk databases.

Now PMDesk has a new mechanism for loading Gantt charts. This update allow to load graphs up to two times quickly compare to the previous version.

The latest version also changed the required .NET Framework version. The latest version of PMDesk 2017 SP3 requires the .NET Framework 4.6 installed. The changes are designed to improve system performance.

We are currently working on a version of PMDesk 2018 that will include new functionalities to streamline workflows: the ability to add custom fields in a project data, and the ability to restore schedules from a snapshot.